Transpower training may move

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Transpower is considering moving its electrical workers' training centre from Omaka, near Blenheim, to Palmerston North.

The Marlborough Express contacted the Government-owned electricity network provider after speculation the training centre was to be moved in March.

The closure of the Omaka centre is seen to be a loss for Marlborough, as it would mean moving well paid, skilled jobs away from the region.

Transpower communications manager Rebecca Wilson confirmed consultation was under way with its employees about moving the centre.

"We are looking at a proposal of moving a training centre to Palmerston North," she said.

"Part of that proposal is the possibility of retaining a training facility in Omaka."

She would not comment on the number of jobs affected, or why the company was looking at relocating.

"Nothing is decided as yet," she said.

She could not say how many people were employed at the centre, or how many people were trained there each year.

The Omaka Training Centre is a wholly owned division of Government-owned Transpower New Zealand Ltd.

Transpower owns and operates the national high-voltage electricity transmission grid, which links generators to distribution companies and major industrial users.

The centre was established in 1990 as a training centre for maintenance contractors working on Transpower's high voltage transmission lines. It has provided training for power companies around the country since constructing live line distribution training lines in 1992.